News for 13 May 2017
All the news for Saturday 13 May 2017
Hockey coach backs youngsters to push for places
By David Leggat
Black Sticks coach Mark Hager is encouraged by new players challenging regulars for selection. Photo / Photosport
By Mark Hager's estimation, there are half a dozen places on offer for New Zealand players at the World League semifinal in Brussels in June.
That's up from the three the Black Sticks' women's coach would have suggested if asked earlier this year. Put that down to Hager being impressed by the depth, rather than the dearth, of talent, he's seen.
The last opportunity for players to put their hands up for the trip to Brussels starts tomorrow with the first of a five-game series against India, the games split between Pukekohe and Hamilton.
Hager is taking an open mind into the series. At least 25 players will get game time in the series and it's unlikely what he considers his first choice team will play any as a unit before at least the last two games in Hamilton. All players will play at least three games.
"We're exposing players in this series and it's giving everyone an opportunity to stake a claim," Hager said.
Add in a game for New Zealand A - likely to be a mix of senior and development players - against the Indians at Lloyd Elsmore Park this afternoon and it's a solid block of work ahead for the women.
"Some of the younger players have stepped up in the last four months, not only within the Black Sticks, but also just outside.
"We're giving people like Tarryn Davey, who is in our development squad, an opportunity."
New Zealand are without six leading players - goalkeeper Georgia Barnett, attackers Gemma McCaw, Anita Punt, Sophie Cocks, Charlotte Harrison and Petrea Webster - this season, all taking time out. But Hager is liking what he's seeing from players coming through.
"I think maybe we're even in a better space and yes, we've lost some quality players, but also picked up some quality talent [which] we didn't know how good they could be," Hager said.
He expects India, ranked No12, seven spots lower than New Zealand, to be tough opponents.
"They've got a new coach so there'll be new ideas and, from what I've seen in World League 2 [which India won in Vancouver in April], they are experienced and have talented players who can hurt you on any given day."
Hager wants to see if his players can step up against India. That will go some way to sorting out his final selection for the World League semifinal, which begins on June 21.
Black Sticks v India
Tomorrow: Pukekohe, 3pm
Tuesday: Pukekohe, 7pm
Wednesday: Pukekohe, 7pm
Friday: Hamilton, 2pm
Saturday: Hamilton, 2pm
The New Zealand Herald
Advantage Rotterdam and Bloemendaal after Hoofdklasse first legs
Rotterdam and Bloemendaal hold the advantage going into the second series of Dutch Hoofdklasse playoff games on Saturday with wins over AH&BC Amsterdam and SV Kampong.
For Rotterdam, they were 2-0 winners with Seve van Ass’s penalty corner and Simon Egerton’s last minute effort into an open goal giving them the major advantage.
Both came in a dramatic final phase which were also memorable for a streaker and a referee substitution due to an injury to Jasper Nagtzaam.
Van Ass said it was a “crazy atmosphere” a the game in front of an “amazing crowd”, adding, “if you like hockey, you could not help but enjoy it”.
"This was clearly a playoff game. We had a tactical plan and we defended well and hard for a very successful evening for us."
At Kampong, Tim Jenniskens put Bloemendaal in front when he turned in a right wing cross at the near post. Two Martijn Havenga corners put Kampong in front, swapping the lead but Jasper Brinkman levelled the game at 2-2 with 47 minutes gone.
Thierry Brinkman then struck the winner when he steadied himself around a Kampong defender’s slip and fired home low through David Harte.
The return legs of these semi-final playoff games will take place on Saturday at 3.35pm in Amsterdam and Bloemendaal.
Euro Hockey League media release
Tuks beat Maties 3-1 to end the Stellenbosch side’s unbeaten run
By Raynique Meyer
Varsity Hockey in Potchefstroom where Tuks plays Maties Natalie Esteves from Tukkies shoots a ball. Tarryn Glasby from Tuks,tries to stop her. Photo Mario van de Wall/SASPA
It was Catherine Morris from Tuks who put an end to Maties’ unbeaten run in this year’s Varsity Hockey tournament with a stunning backstick field goal to clinch the match 3-1 in the dying minutes.
Tuks owned the first half as Chané Hill dragged flicked the ball from a short corner to hit the back of the net in the seventh minute to put Tuks 1-0 in the lead. With another four short corner opportunities Tuks lacked the experience to round it off.
But it was in the 30th minute that Minke van Heerden of Maties struck back with a last-minute goal before halftime to equal the score at 1-1.
In the third chukka of the match it was still Tuks with the momentum as they kept the Maties in defensive mode and as the final chukka approached the match was delayed due to rain.
With both Powerplays being called by both teams, not one of the two sides managed to make use of the opportunity to put their side in the lead. But it was Tuks who would leave the field with a well-deserved win as they put Maties’ unbeaten run in Potchefstroom to an end with a moment of magic at the death, as Catherine Morris stole all three point for Tuks. The final score 3-1.
FNB Player of the Match: Catherine Morris (Tuks)
Mugg & Bean Star Saver: Nicole Le Fleur (Maties)
Scores
Maties: 1
Goals: Minke van Heerden (Penalty Corner)
Tuks: 3
Goals: Chané Hill (Penalty Corner), Catherine Morris (Field Goal)
Teams
Maties: Nicole Le Fleur, Lenta Cullinan, Stephanie Botha, Heather Mc Ewan, Paige Phillips, Sandiswe Tabata, Tarryn Glasby, Natasha Rootenberg, Aimee Pote, Page Alcock,Minke van Heerden
Subs: Simone Strydom, Lida Kotze, Danielle Cairns, Georgia Grobler, Polly Mashau, Alegra Dijkstra, Kirsten Block
Tuks: Marlise van Tonder, Marissa Poolman, Chané Hill, Anél Luus, Catherine Morris, Izalle Verster, Natalie Esteves, Luvolwethu Nkole, Claire Gibbings, Amy Etherington , Thandokazi Chithi
Subs: Melicia van Loggerenberg, Jénica De Encarnaçăo, Meeghan Scheffer, Danielle Kerdachi, Amoné Mouton, Mabongi Nyalungu
Varsity Sports media release
Pukke thrash Madibaz to tie with top four teams on 12 points
By Raynique Meyer
Varsity Hockey in Potchefstroom where NWU Pukke,plays NMMU Meghan Klomp from Pukke,is congratulated by the Puk players, on her goal she scored. Photo Mario van de Wall/SASPA
It was Charne Maddocks with her hat-trick for the Pukke side to claim a victory of 13-0 against the Madibaz, as they moved joint top of the table with Maties, Tuks and Wits in Potchefstroom on Friday night.
Pukke’s Anneke Beukman scored the opening goal of the match from a short corner to put her team 1-0 up. But it was Lerato Mahlangu also from the home side that extended the lead with a field goal to put them 3-0 up against the Madibaz leading into halftime.
After the break it was Maddocks from the Pukke who continued where her team had left off, with an easy goal as the ball hit the backboard to keep the scoreboard ticking at 5-0 in their favour.
With Pukke showing some attacking hockey it was once again Mahlangu who showed her class as she rounded it off in the circle to secure her second goal of the match to extend their lead to 7-0.
But it was Maddocks with two quick goals to claim her hat-trick in the last minutes of the match to leave the Pukke on 11-0 and with the help of Beukman they could finish the encounter with a final score of 13-0.
Madibaz have to regroup before Saturday afternoon as they couldn’t manage to put a score on the board.
FNB Player of the Match: Charne Maddocks (Pukke)
Mugg & Bean Star Saver: Luzaan Potgieter (Pukke)
Scores
Pukke: 13
Goals: Anneke Beukman (Penalty Corner, Field Goal), Lerato Mahlangu (2X Field Goal), Charne Maddocks (3X Field Goal)
Madibaz: 0
Teams
Pukke: Marine Kock, Jocelle Deysel, Jessica de Bruyn-Smith, Miecke Flemming, Lindi Anker, Lerato Mahlangu, Lori Hyde, Carli Rheeder, Dunelle van Taak, Elmien Marais, Kerrin Klaaste, Charne Maddocks
Subs: Hope Nkosi, Carli Pretorius, Courtney du Preez, Jamie Flowers, Meeghan Klomp, Anneke Beukman
Madibaz: Kerryn Frost, Erin Sims, Lauren Nina, Taryn Koen, Sequeira Kiona van Niekerk, Caitlin Guws, Aimee Pohlmann, Simone Dolley, Kirsty Tonks, Cassandra Lister, Luzaan Potgieter
Subs: Kanyisa Gwata, Taylah Bird, Jamie-Leigh Banks, Malikah Potgieter, Carly Redcliffe, Meri Janse van Rensburg, Leigh Paulsen
Varsity Sports media release
It's a Thunderbolts party
By Jugjet Singh
THE Malaysian Junior Hockey League Division One TNB Cup semi-finals will be an-all Thunderbolts affair Sunday.
For Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), Anderson, MSP-Pahang and Tunku Mahkota Ismail SportS Schol (SSTMI) scored convincing wins in the quarter-finals yesterday.
Anderson will meet MS Pahang, while SSTMI will play BJSS in the semi-finals.
Both the Division Two teams SSMS Resilient and Johor Juniors were hammered by Division One outfits BJSS (6-2) and SSTMI (5-0) respectively.
League champions PJCC Tigers fell to Anderson 3-2, with Nur Asyraf Ishak (20th, 42nd) their live-wire.
However, Anderson pulled through with goals from Najme Hayazi (fourth), 45 18 Aiman Shahmi (45th) and Aliff Ikhemal (51st).
"I see our match against BJSS the toughest of the two semis, as whenever they play us, they somehow manage to bring out their very best," said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Rahman.
Last season, BJSS beat SSTMI 4-3 for the TNB Cup, and this year in the League BJSS held SSTMI 2-2 before winning 6-5 in shoot-out.
"Even though we are Thunderbolts 'brothers' we aim to give our very best to play in the final and win one title this season. Our biggest problem is travelling, for we played in Bandar Penawar today (Friday) and travelled after the match to Kuala Lumpur for the Sunday semis. I hope the boys recovery is fast, as BJSS are not an easy team to handle," said Wan Roslan.
RESULTS -- Division One Quarter-finals: PJCC Tigers 2 Anderson Thunderbolts 3, MSP-Thunderbolts 3 SSTMI Juniors 1, SSTMI Thunderbolts 5 Johor Juniors 0, BJSS Thunderbolts 6 SSMS Resilient 2.
SUNDAY -- Men's semi-finals: Anderson Thunderbolts v MSP Thunderbolts (Tun Razak, 6pm), BJSS Thunderbolts v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Tun Razak. 8.30pm).
Women's semi-finals: SSTMI v MSN Kedah (KLHA, 4pm), USM v KLSS-Wipers (KLHA, 6pm).
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Big shock for MBPJ
by Aftar Singh
That’s mine: MBPJ’s Muhammad Syafiq Izzudin Ibrahim (right) vying for the ball with Anderson Thunderbolt’s Muhammad Afiq Iqbal Ahmad Faudzi during their Malaysian Junior Hockey League quarter-finals at the MBPJ Hockey Stadium in Petaling Jaya yesterday. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star.
PETALING JAYA: Anderson Thunderbolt stunned newly-crowned Division One champions Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) 3-2 to seal a place in the semi-finals of the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL).
Anderson, who lost 3-1 to MBPJ in the league match, were a transformed side at the MBPJ Hockey Stadium yesterday, as they went on the offensive right from the start.
And their gung-ho approach worked wonders as they took a fourth-minute lead through Muhd Najme Ahmad Hazayi.
But MBPJ showed that they are made of sterner stuff when they fought back in the second quarter to equalise in the 20th minute through a Muhd Nur Asyraf Ishak penalty corner drag flick.
MBPJ then went 2-1 ahead with another penalty corner conversion by Nur Asyraf in the 42nd minute.
But Anderson, who finished fifth in Division One, saved the best for last – netting two goals in six minutes in the fourth quarter.
Muhd Aiman Shahmi Marzuki equalised off a penalty corner in the 45th minute before Muhd Aliff Ikhemal Zamri got the winning goal from close range six minutes later.
Anderson coach M. Kaliswaran was delighted with his boys’ commitment.
“My boys played a much higher level of hockey today. We knew MBPJ defence’s weaknesses and my forwards took their chances well,” he said.
“We fought for every ball ... it feels really good to beat favourites MBPJ to reach the semi-finals.”
MBPJ coach Mohd Harfizi Baharom was disappointed with his players’ performance.
“I don’t know why my players struggled in the match. It looks like they didn’t know how to handle the pressure after winning the league title five days ago,” he said.
In the quarter-finals, Pahang school edged SSTMI Juniors 3-1 at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan.
BJSS, meanwhile, had no problem outplaying Division Two league champions Sabah Malaysia Sports School (SSMS)-Resilient 6-2 at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang.
Tomorrow’s semi-finals will be an all-Thunderbolt affair.
Anderson will face Pahang Hockey Academy (AHP)-MSP-Thunderbolt in the first semi-final while defending overall champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS)-Thunderbolt will take on Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolt.
Both matches will be played at the Tun Razak Stadium.
The Star of Malaysia
Police and Butali set to spice up action
By Elizabeth Mburugu
Orange Telkom Ruth Njoki(fron with ball) as Strathmore Lynn Ayuma blocks when they played women National League at City Park, Nairobi. ON 15/04/2017
Hockey bigwigs Butali Sugar Warriors and Kenya Police are expected to set the Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League title chase pulse-racing tomorrow.
Butali clash with arch-rivals Nairobi Sikh Union as Police will be keen to arrest Western Jaguars at City Park Stadium.
The two sides, who are former champions, are out for another shot at the league title. Police are top of the log with 21 points from seven matches while Butali lie fifth with nine points from three matches.
The Butali and Sikh Union tie rekindles memories of the famous Simba derby, which stole the limelight when the two sides were formerly known as Kisumu Simba and Nairobi Simba.
Kenneth Nyongesa, the Butali captain, said they are out for victory to increase their chances of reclaiming the title they lost last year.
League defending champions Strathmore University Gladiators will lock horns with United States University of Africa (USIU-A) today.
ALSO READ: Hockey: Police extend lead as Butali move to fifth place in Premier League rankings
Gladiators, who have been struggling to regain their groove, need to be at their best to secure victory in this varsity derby.
They lie a distant 10th on the standings with five points from five outings while USIU-A trail in 11th spot with four from three encounters.
Chase Sailors square it out with Western Jaguars as Kenya College of Accountancy University entertain newcomers Technical University of Kenya today.
In women's event, 2016 runners-up Strathmore University Scorpions will duck it out with Sliders. A win for Scorpions, who lie third on the log with ten points, will move them to second spot and the win also sees them close the gap between them and champions Telkom Orange to five points.
Vikings face Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology while Mombasa Sports Club ladies take on USIU-A Spartans in Mombasa.
Visitors Kisumu Youngsters have a mountain to climb with two matches in Nairobi.
The Standard Online
St Teresa’s School & St Lawrence College Crowned In2Hockey Champions 2017
St Lawrence
This year’s Boys & Girls In2Hockey Schools Championships were once again hosted at Nottingham Hockey Centre.
In the boys competition, Pool A consisted of Cheadle Hulme, Ipswich, St Lawrence’s, Taunton & Worksop College. St Lawrence finished top of the pool with 3 wins and 10 points, closely followed by Cheadle Hulme on 8 points and 2 wins. Ipswich finished 3rd in the pool with 5 points, followed by Taunton School with 4 points and Worksop finishing on 0.
In boys’ Pool B, it was a close affair, with both The Perse and Princethorpe finishing on 5 points, and Dean Close and Calday Grange both finishing on 8 points. The final standings in the pool were: 5th Barrow Hills, 4th The Perse, 3rd Princethorpe, 2nd Calday Grange, and 1st Dean Close.
In the Pool C of the girl’s competition, St Teresa’s took an early lead, with some high scoring games including a 4-0 in against The Grange, and a 6-1 win against Dean Close. They went on to finish 1st place in the pool, followed by Kent College & Dean Close both on 6 points. The final standings in the pool were: 5th Trent College, 4th The Grange, 3rd Kent College, 2nd Dean Close, 1st St Teresa’s.
Girls Pool D was once again very close on points. Bedford Girls finished 1st in the pool to face St Teresa’s in the final, followed by Surbiton High School who therefore battled Dean Close for 3rd place. Hill House finished 3rd in the Pool, Blundells 4th, and Loughborough High School finished 5th in Pool D.
The classification games took place in some torrential rain, however all teams kept spirits up and displayed excellent hockey right until the final whistle. In the Boys competition, St Lawrence took the title of In2Hockey Boys Champions, after beating Dean Close 1-0 in the final with a penalty corner goal from Ben Young. In the Girls competition, St Teresa’s took the lead against Bedford Girls School with a goal from Tamera Cookman in the final minute before half time, resulting in a half time score of 1-0. St Teresa’s then extended their lead with a late goal from Tasmin Cookman, to secure their title of Girls Schools In2Hockey Champions.
England Hockey Board Media release
Great Britain's women win at Women's Sporting Trust awards
Great Britain’s women’s hockey team won the Sporting Role Model Team award at the Women’s Sports Trust #BeAGameChanger Awards.
Hockey as a whole has evolved after the successful Gold medal victory in Rio with participation expanding in both the men's and women's games across all ages.
Former GB and England captain Kate Richardson-Walsh was also presented with an Outstanding Contribution award on the night.
Richardson-Walsh racked up 375 international caps in her career culminating in leading GB to Olympic gold in Rio and she was recognised alongside another former international captain, England Cricket’s Charlotte Edwards.
Hosted by the Women’s Sport Trust, the #BeAGameChanger Awards celebrates the organisations and individuals who are doing the most to progress and showcase women’s sport.
Bringing together elite athletes, ground-breaking journalists, grassroots sports clubs and national governing bodies, the #BeAGameChanger Awards recognises a diverse range of talented individuals and projects that are helping to boost women’s sport.
The star-studded event, now in its third year, took place on Thursday 11 May at the Troxy in London.
England Hockey Board Media release
Congratulations to the Athletes Selected to the 2017 National Futures Championship
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Field Hockey is pleased to announce the first round of athletes selected to attend the 2017 National Futures Championship (NFC) at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. from June 20-29. The Citi National Futures Championship, presented by Harrow Sports, is the premier championship event for USA Field Hockey's Futures Program, the sport's Olympic Development Pipeline. Held annually in late June since 1990, NFC brings together the top female field hockey players selected from more than 5,000 athletes across nine regions. These athletes were selected based on their performance at their respective region’s Regional Futures Tournament held this past weekend, May 6-7. The regions that have selected their athletes are the Northeast Region and Regions 4, 5, 8 and 11.
USA Field Hockey would like to congratulate the following athletes selected to the 2017 National Futures Championship! Click the links below to review the selected athletes in each region.
- Northeast Region Selected Athletes
- Region 4 Selected Athletes
- Region 5 Selected Athletes
- Region 8 Selected Athletes
- Region 11 Selected Athletes
The U-16 and U-19 Age Division athletes are placed on Regional Teams and take part in a weekend-long training camp in preparation for the National Futures Championship in late June. This training camp is a great opportunity for these athletes to advance their skills before competing as a regional team at NFC.
The U-14 Age Division athletes compete as mixed teams at the National Futures Championship. Team announcements will be posted in early June on the NFC Event Page.
USA Field Hockey looks forward to the second weekend of the Regional Futures Tournament which will take place May 20-21 in Regions 6, 7, 9 and 10. Good luck to all participating athletes!
USFHA media release
Disney Field Hockey Showcase and USA Field Hockey Return to Walt Disney World Resort in 2018
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Walt Disney World Resort, in conjunction with USA Field Hockey, is pleased to announce the return of Disney Field Hockey Showcase in 2018. The three-day showcase event will be held on the pristine fields of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. from January 19-21, 2018.
While surrounded by the sheer magic that accompanies a visit to Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Field Hockey Showcase promises to provide high level competition, excitement and memories for every member of your field hockey family. This premier event will also give all aspiring college athletes a premier platform to showcase their talents to many of the top college coaches and recruiters in the country.
“We are thrilled to welcome USA Field Hockey, along with players and their fans, back to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the 2018 Disney Field Hockey Showcase 2018,” said Faron Kelley, Vice President of ESPN Wide World of Sports, Water Parks & Mini Golf.
“We look forward to expanding this event to include a broad offering of age groups so younger athletes can also share in this memorable field hockey experience at Disney," added Justin Miller, USA Field Hockey Events and Club Services Manager.
The 2018 edition of Disney Field Hockey Showcase has expanded to four age divisions for boys’ and girls’ teams, with U-12 Co-Ed and U-14 joining the existing U-16 and U-19.
Registration for the 2018 Disney Field Hockey Showcase will open on Friday, June 9, 2017 at 10 a.m. EST. For more information, visit www.disneyfieldhockey.com or call (407) 938-3806.
"We are delighted that our friends at ESPN Wide World of Sports share our vision to inspire even more young athletes to develop a passion for our sport," said Simon Hoskins, USA Field Hockey's Executive Director.
USA Field Hockey will not host National Indoor Tournament Qualifiers (NITQ) on the weekend of the Disney Field Hockey Showcase. The weekend that previously held the 2017 National Hockey Showcase will now host a NITQ. In addition, the Christmas and New Year’s holidays do not fall during the weekend in 2017 as they did during last year’s NITQ. USA Field Hockey will also expand the availability to host an NITQ during an additional weekend of February 3-4, 2018.
Disney Field Hockey Showcase began 11 years ago with just 56 teams and grew to 190 teams in 2015. Disney and USA Field Hockey look to broaden the experience to include more field hockey athletes, coaches and umpires while making it an even more magical experience for the whole family.
USFHA media release
Moroccan Hockey Federation offers hockey coaching to hundreds of young Africans
Sport – and hockey in particular – can play a hugely important role in promoting social integration. No matter what the nationality, cultural or religious beliefs, sport can offer a common ground, where friendship, competition and teamwork are the three most important factors.
Which is why the work being carried out by the Royal Moroccan Hockey Federation among young hockey players is proving both popular and successful.
Hockey development has an established programme in Morocco, with hockey camps, training days and hockey-related competitions organised regularly over the past few seasons. However, the national governing body, the Royal Moroccan Hockey Federation (RMHF), has really ramped up its development activities in the past few seasons.
The RMHF is very aware of the potential impact sport can have as a vehicle for social integration, and as part of its outreach strategy, the Royal Moroccan Hockey Federation is organising Operation African Hockey Days for young Africans residing in Morocco. The participants come from a number of African nations, including Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Guinea and Mali. All-in-all, more than 600 young Africans will be targeted by the programme and its organising body.
Operation African Hockey Days will run over a three-month period and will take place in local sports centres and sports halls in the Moroccan cities of Casablanca and Rabat. The umbrella organisation supporting the initiative is the government’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The first stage of the programme took place in mid-April at the CSP Ain Sebaa in Casablanca. The programme was divided into two workshops – a theory session, led by the RMHF Technical Director, which introduced the youngsters to the game of hockey, via some inspirational videos, while the second session was a series of fun, games-based activities.
There were also some exhibition games where more experienced players from the Federation schools demonstrated hockey at its fast-paced and exhilarating best. The audience was both impressed by the skills on show and inspired to develop their own skills and hockey knowledge.
Putting on such workshops and coaching sessions is a financial strain on the RMHF but, as Kamal Ghallali, President of the Royal Moroccan Hockey Federation, points out: "We persist in continuing this operation because we believe in what we are doing and the great impact it has on these young people."
The President spoke of the human dimension – health and well-being associated with sports; the social benefit of playing sport – teamwork, friendship and competition and, of course, the diplomatic element – as nations come together to promote activities such as this, then barriers between neighbouring countries are broken down.
Other stages of this initial programme will take place in El Oulfa and El Bernoussi before two new programmes commence in Rabat in Takadoum district and Yakoub el Mansour.
For more information about the RMHF, click here.
FIH site
Olympic International signs partnership with SA Hockey Association, Netball SA
Olympic International, part of the Bolton Footwear brand stable, has signed a two-year partnership with the South Africa Hockey Association and Netball South Africa, as the official footwear partner.
According to Stuart Hopwood, group head of marketing at Bolton Footwear, Olympic International will become the official footwear partner of these two disciplines. Says Hopwood: “We need to grow awareness around the improved technical capabilities of our sports shoes specifically for hockey and netball. And there is no better way to raise this awareness than amongst the top athletes who use them.”
“Both hockey and netball are exhilarating and intense sports and place a lot of pressure on your knees and ankles. You need the perfect fit to perform at your best."
The brand's newly launched Blast for netball provides vital support when changing direction and moving horizontally, while the Sweeper Hockey shoe is specifically designed for field hockey, promising to protect players from the ball and from dragging with a protected area around the toe.
Both the hockey and netball shoes have a Strobel sock, which allows for flexibility and comfort. The removable inner sock is made of comfort EVA, with memory foam and gel pads on the heel as well as the forepart, adding to its comfort. The lace locking eyelets prevent the toes from hitting the front of the shoe in jarring movements offering toe protection. The upper is made from breathable mesh, the PU making the shoe light and comfortable and the sole is lightweight Phylon, with a durable rubber outsole that has a tread designed to offer maximum grip on playing surfaces.
“Both these shoes will be tested by some of the country’s best hockey and netball players and we look forward to their feedback and recommendations. We’d like to thank the South Africa Hockey Association and Netball South Africa for putting their trust in our brand and look forward to working with them closely over the next two years.”
BizCommunity
Sadness in PAHF Community
Mr Rafael Sosa
It is with great sadness that PAHF President has to inform that Mr Rafael Sosa, President of Dominican Republic Federation, has passed away.
Coco Budeisky presented his famiily condolences on behalf of Panam Hockey family.
May he rest in peace .
Pan American Hockey Federation media release